SHAW, Vivian Katherine (nee Smith)

Peacefully, at home, with her family by her side, Vivian passed away September 24, 2018 in Ottawa.

Daughter of the late Mary Agnes (MacDonald) and William Lloyd Smith, Vivian was born in Sydney, NS, October 5, 1926. She attended Sydney Academy and completed one year’s study at the New England Conservatory, Boston. She obtained her Licentiate of Music degree (Trinity College, London) in 1944.

Vivian married Ralph Shaw in 1958 – they lived in Sydney, Ottawa, Brussels and London, England, over their 57 years of marriage.

Vivian was organist and choir director at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Sydney, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa. She also taught piano in Sydney and Ottawa, both privately and with the Ottawa Public School Board.

Vivian is survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Marguerite Shaw; three children, Aynslie (Peter Rawson), Allison and William; four grandchildren, John William, Annabel, Mary Katherine, and Violet Rawson; her goddaughter, Patricia Harriss, and her MacDonald, Buchanan and Smith cousins.

She was the light of our lives and will remain in our hearts forever.

A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Committal of ashes will occur at Hardwood Hill Cemetery, Sydney, at a later date.

For those who wish, donations in Vivian’s memory may be directed to Bethel Presbyterian Church, Sydney, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, or a charity of their choice.